When the breath of life hurts

When our lungs are out of balance we may experience a dry cough, wheezing on the intake or exhale of breath, tightness in the chest or chronic indigestion.

Even Western medicine is beginning to acknowledge that asthma is caused by more than weakness in the lungs. If you’re having trouble breathing, your major organs are telling you something so urgent and important they are literally taking your breath away.

But the adage “Our issues are in our tissues” is just as applicable to our beautiful lungs, especially as the weather cools down and family relations heat up. (It’s Turkey season!)

Whether asthma affects you chronically or seasonally, know this: your lungs love you so much they’re pushing you to dig deep into your emotional well-being so you can access the breath of life and Joy.

Below are two simple questions to help uncover what you’re breathing in, breathing out into the world. Ask yourself these questions in the spirit of breathing easier and with more Joy. The body is built to heal and your breath is one of the most powerful healing tools on the planet.

Do I have problems with the inhale or the exhale?

Depending on your answer, you can pinpoint the origin of an organ imbalance by when the breath hurts. According to ancient Chinese medicine, if there is more of a problem on the inhalation then chances are the kidneys are the root of the dysfunction. When we inhale, the kidneys need to be strong enough to pull air in.

If exhalation causes discomfort or pain, the lungs are a root cause of the breathing difficulty. When the lungs are functioning correctly, they pull moisture up from the kidneys. If the moisture isn’t reaching the lungs, then there will be a limitation in how you exhale, as well as an unproductive dry cough, dry skin and/or low energy.

All of our organs need to communicate for our body to function at its fullest potential. Asthma is ultimately a miscommunication between the lungs and the kidneys; a disconnect that can absolutely be improved, healed and released.

The first step to regaining your lung health? Acknowledge that your lungs are communicating with you. Inhale and exhale mindfully. Where is the block?

Am I recovering from trauma?

The lungs are compromised by the emotions of sadness, grief, loss and disappointment. It is natural to experience “negative” emotions when we are fired or criticized, get really sick, suffer the end of a relationship, grieve the loss of a loved one. Painful emotions become harmful when we express emotions in harmful ways (e.g., screaming, shouting) or repress our feelings (e.g., seething, scheming).

An “unproductive dry cough” is defined as one that coughs up little or zero phlegm. While some holistic fields believe a cough signifies undefined inner change happening, Chinese medicine points to stagnant and unprocessed feelings of grief, fear and/or anxiety.

If your cough is waking you up between three and five in the morning, or you’re waking up at that time in general, be especially kind to yourself. Why? (You don’t need a why, by the way.) Whether consciously or subconsciously, your lungs are working hard to release traumatic memories fueled by grief and loss.

Be thankful to your lungs. Stay smoke-free. Stay clear of toxic people. (Yes, it IS holiday season so may the Force be with you.) Stay true to who you are no matter which turkey is sitting at your table or aggravating your lungs.

Breathe in Light: Heart Advice for Hard Times

As May unfolds and Memorial Day approaches, take a moment to remember the people you’ve loved and lost. Take a moment and check in with those feelings. No judgment; just look.

When people die we’re often rushed through our grief and mourning. We get a sanitized unrealistic image of death from TV and movies. Most people think that if we blur through our pain, our pain won’t find us.

Yet just as laughter and joy are divine so are heartbreak and tears. Grief and sadness demand expression and release so we can begin to heal and thrive.

Is sadness trapped inside your body? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sadness, grief and sorrow are stored in our lungs. If these powerful emotions are stifled or shunned, we suffer. For example, symptoms of depression and anxiety appear. Physical ailments such as a soft low voice, scratchy throat and dry cough are common. Lung Qi opens into your skin so skin irritations like rashes and acne may flare up. Digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea are another common symptom of grief that’s blocked and festering inside the body.

As uncomfortable and heartbreaking as grief feels, when we lovingly honor and express our sadness, we begin healing our mind, body and spirit. Know and understand that all physical forms on this planet are impermanent; this too shall pass.

The word “courage” comes from the French term coeur, which means “heart.” Tune into your heart as you remember the people who’ve passed before you. Tune into your lungs as you breathe in courage, strength and acceptance.

According to Traditional Chinese medicine the Lungs function to purify inhaled air, produce defensive Qi, activate the flow of Qi downward, and maintain water metabolism.

-Purifying inhaled air

The most important, and perhaps most apparent, function of the Lungs is to extract clean Qi from inhaled air. This purified essence of the air is combined with food essence from the Spleen, and sent it to the Heart where it becomes blood.

–Producing Defensive Qi

The Lungs produce the very important Wei Qi, or Defensive Qi, which is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens from the environment. Wei Qi is closely related to the health of the skin and water metabolism (see below), particularly the opening and closing of the skin’s pores. When Defensive Qi is weak, the body easily succumbs to attack from external pathogens, such as parasites and infectious pathogens.

– Activating the flow of Qi downward

Because the Lungs are the uppermost organs in the body, their Qi must descend. When it is not descending, such symptoms as coughing, asthmatic breathing, and stuffiness in the chest can occur. It can also cause shortness of breath, tiredness and drowsiness.

– Maintaining normal water metabolism

When the Lungs are functioning properly, inhalation will send water downward to the Kidney and Urinary Bladder. Failure of the water supply to these organs can result in dysuria (inability to urinate), edema (swelling), and/or phlegm-retention conditions.

The Lungs are also responsible for supplying the skin and hair with the body fluid they need to stay moist and bright. By spreading Qi between the muscles and the skin, the Lungs regulate the opening and closing of the skin’s pores and keep the muscles warm. As part of the immune system, healthy skin defends the body from outside pathogenic factors. Unhealthy skin is associated with symptoms such as profuse sweating and vulnerability to the common cold.